Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

January 28, 2020

Homologous recombination within the spike glycoprotein of the newly identified coronavirus 2019-nCoV may boost cross-species transmission from snake to human

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  • Chinese researchers conducted a sequence analysis and found that 2019-nCoV appears to be a recombinant virus between the bat coronavirus and a coronavirus of unknown origin, with the most likely wildlife reservoir being snakes. Study findings also suggest a “homologous recombination within the viral receptor-binding spike glycoprotein, which may determine cross-species transmission from snake to humans.”

Ji et al. (Jan 2020).  Homologous recombination within the spike glycoprotein of the newly identified coronavirus 2019-nCoV may boost cross-species transmission from snake to human. Med Virology. doi: 10.1002/fut.22099